IT IS the film that many have been awaiting as eagerly as Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. But now Spider-Man is here, many parents have found that they cannot take children under 12 to see the web-slinger's big screen exploits. IAN SAVAGE examines whether the 12 certificate is justified and whether there may be a chance of a re-think in Bolton...

CHILDREN can buy the toys, trade the stickers and wear the suits.

But when the new movie Spider-Man opens at cinemas today, many youngsters will be unable to go and see it.

That's because the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has granted the film a 12 certificate.

So it is a safe bet that there will be hordes of Spidey-loving youngsters across the country disappointed at being barred.

I have seen Spider-Man and was surprised at the 12 certificate.

True, there are some violent fight scenes, but there are a host of much more intense movies over the years that have escaped with a PG (Parental Guidance).

The Lord of the Rings is probably the most recent example. It featured a decapitation, limb-lopping and lots of pretty frightening creatures.

It was granted a PG, which means that children of any age can be admitted, but parents are advised there may be scenes that are unsuitable for very young ones.

So which other films have earned a PG over the years, despite being much more violent than Spider-Man?

Five of director Steven Spielberg's films -- predominantly aimed at a family audience -- are among the main culprits. Jaws (1975) shows graphic shark attacks and would scare the average eight-year-old out of the bath tub.

Jurassic Park (1994) and The Lost World (1997) feature severed limbs and dinosaurs chomping on humans and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) are full of skeletons and hearts being ripped from live people.

Ironically, over the past 18 months, the BBFC has relaxed its attitude on sex and violence in films and re-released a batch of so-called 'video-nasties' banned in the early 1980s.

Other films, that would probably not have received certificates a few years ago, like the French hard core sex drama Baise Moi and the ultra-violent Japanese satire Battle Royale, have been passed recently virtually unscathed by the censor's scissors and shown at the cinema.

No one is suggesting that films containing sex, swearing or violence should be deemed suitable for children.

But there is certainly a good argument for saying that Spider-Man -- which raked in the most money ever from its opening weekend in the United States (where children of ANY age can be admitted to see it) -- should be a PG, rather than a 12.

And that argument has been made -- with a resulting partial victory -- by one cinema owner in Norfolk.

Trevor Wicks, owner of the Hollywood chain of cinemas, had urged council officials to review the film, claiming it was being marketed at children and was no more violent than the PG-rated The Lord of the Rings.

Yarmouth became the latest local authority to downgrade to a PG, with a warning for under-eights, after deciding it depicted only "fantasy violence".

Mr Wicks said: "I put the same case to all the councils and Norwich and Waveney were the only ones who said they would abide by the 12 certificate.

"The film is marketed for children, you can buy Spider-Man kids meals in KFC and get Spider-Man toys but they cannot see the film.

"I suspect there are going to be an awful lot of disappointed and angry families when they cannot get into the cinema this weekend."

One East Anglian mother agreed and criticised Norwich Council for refusing to downgrade the film to a PG.

Justine Allsop, aged 30 said: "Their decision defies logic. If children in other parts of the county can watch the film why can't mine?

"I have two young boys who both love Spider-Man because the marketing of the toys has been aimed at their age group. The eldest is seven and he absolutely loved Harry Potter and the latest Star Wars film. Reviews I've read indicate Spider-Man is no more adult than those two films. I fail to see the problem."

So, what are the chances of the Bolton Council following the lead of some of the local authorities in East Anglia and reviewing Spider-Man to see whether it feels the 12 certificate is appropriate?

The authority has the power to over-rule the BBFC under the Cinema Act, through the licensing and environmental regulation committee. Members will only view a film after people have made a complaint.

This means that films can be banned, banned films can be shown and certifications changed.

Bolton has never changed a certification, but has banned films from being shown, as well as allowing banned films to be shown.

Examples include The Exorcist (1974) which was banned from several towns, but shown in Bolton, Last Tango in Paris (1975) was prevented from being shown in this town and Monty Python's controversial Life of Brian (1980) had its X certificate lifted.

Bolton's licensing officer Andrew Fisher said once the validity of any complaint was investigated officers would arrange for the committee, headed by Cllr Don Eastwood, to see the film and decide for themselves.

Cllr Eastwood said: "I thought Spider- Man was for children. If there was an official complaint from the cinema managers here the committee would go and see the film and make a decision on a free vote.

"We would be looking what the difference would be between a 12 certificate and PG and reasons why the young ones had been stopped from seeing it. If we thought that the reasons were not right we would change it."

Ian Walker, manager of the UGC Cinema at The Valley, Waters Meeting Road, Bolton, said he had not yet seen Spider-Man, though staff had turned away some disappointed parents of younger children at the preview screenings last weekend.

He said: "I wouldn't be surprised if a parent raised the issue. Councillors are more than welcome to come and see the film here if they like."

The BBFC Classifications and what they mean:

U - Universal, suitable for all

PG - Parental Guidance, general admittance but parents are advised that there may be scenes that are unsuitable for younger children

12 - Admittance for children aged 12 and over only

15 - Admittance for those aged 15 and over only

18 - Admittance for those aged 18 and over only

See tonight's 24:7 entertainments section for news, interviews and a full review of Spider-Man

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